Blog

Closed due to weather

By Mandy Smith | February 25, 2013

All RCIL offices will be closed Tuesday, February 26, 2013, due to weather. Please call our toll free number at (800) 580-7245 and leave a message and your call will be returned when we reopen. Thank you!    

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New Day Chance for Better

By Mandy Smith | February 19, 2013

I’ve been told I can be a perfectionist.  I’m definitely not a perfectionist about everything in my life especially not with housework, my car, or basically anything with cleaning!  But I am a perfectionist when it comes to the quality of my work whether school work or my career.  I guess I always assumed this…

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Flu season still going full speed

By Mandy Smith | February 12, 2013

The cold and flu season is in full swing. If you haven’t already gotten your flu shot, it is important that you get it now. There is still time! Certain people are at greater risk of getting the flu. This includes: Young children. The elderly. Pregnant women. And people with certain long-term medical conditions. If…

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Vision Awareness Days

By Mandy Smith | January 29, 2013

Assistive Technology for Kansans, RCIL and Freedom Scientific are hosting Vision Awareness Days where individuals can learn more about living with vision loss.  The event will be held on February 6th from 10:00am-4:00pm at the Topeka Public Library Aud. 101 B. This event will include free learning sessions, free lunch and hands-on demonstrations.  The learning…

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New Year – New You?

By Mandy Smith | January 2, 2013

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution this year?  I did and usually do but this year’s is different.  Every year I make the resolution to lose weight and do better.  These seem easy but aren’t really measurable so can lead no where real quick.  This year I have set specific goals including increasing my…

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Happy Holidays from RCIL

By Mandy Smith | December 21, 2012

RCIL wishes for all to have Happy Holidays.  All office locations will be closed December 24 and 25 for Christmas and January 1, 2013 for New Year’s Day.

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Kansas Infinitec Coalition Outstanding Student Technology Awards

By Mandy Smith | December 5, 2012

I am so pleased to be here at the Kansas Infinitec Coalition Outstanding Student Technology Awards luncheon. This award luncheon is to honor students who are using assistive technology to better their learning experiences. This luncheon is a “Celebration to the power of technology that these students are using” Paul Dulle, President and CEO UCPGC/Infinite…

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RCIL’s Emporia Office has Moved

By Mandy Smith | November 19, 2012

RCIL’s Emporia office has changed it’s location to 215 West Sixth Avenue Suite 208 which is Emporia’s new Humanitarian Center.  Emporia’s Humanitarian Center was formerly known as Lowther South Intermediate school and is located two blocks from downtown (on 6th Avenue).  The office’s phone number and fax number are the same but their new office…

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Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center

By Mandy Smith | November 14, 2012

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Resources Secretary Shawn Sullivan announced Thursday that a new resource is available to help Kansans. Effective November 1, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is now available to provide Kansans with information and referrals. ADRC staff members can also put residents in contact with local Options Counselors. The…

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KanCare Health Plan Informational Meetings

By Mandy Smith | November 7, 2012

 Learn more about choosing the KanCare health plan that is right for you and your family.  Medicaid participants are encouraged to attend a meeting where they will be provided information to choose your KanCare plan.  If you have questions, please call 1-866-305-5147. If you require special assistance for a meeting (like a translator or hand…

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Voting Hotline for Kansans with Disabilities

By Mandy Smith | November 5, 2012

    Tomorrow, November 6 is Election Day.  Please get out there and vote.  The Disability Rights Center will have a hotline for Kansans with disabilities to call with any questions or concerns about voting rights for persons with disabilities until Tuesday, November 6th (Election Day) (TOMORROW) at 8PM. People with disabilities should call the DRC…

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Disability Mentoring Day

By Mandy Smith | October 22, 2012

Disability Mentoring Day is a nationwide effort to promote career development for students with disabilities through hands-on career exploration. What is Disability Mentoring Day? Students with disabilities (mentees) are matched with workplace mentors according to expressed career interests. Mentees experience a typical day on the job and learn how to prepare to enter the world…

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Are you ready to vote?

By Mandy Smith | October 8, 2012

       You must show a photo ID if you are going to vote at the polls. BUT, if you apply for a permanent advance ballot, you do not have to show ID (you must have a permanent disability or illness). To vote you must be registered!  Voter registration deadline is October 16, 2012 Get registered to…

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Hubert – Finding Opportunity

By Mandy Smith | September 28, 2012

Does opportunity happen or do we go looking for it?  According to Hubert B. Von Holton we must have our eyes and ears open to because opportunity happens but most aren’t looking for it. “The older I get the more I believe that opportunities pass everyone equal.  When you are young you only think they…

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AT Expo 2012 – Wichita

By Mandy Smith | September 27, 2012

RCIL is hosting a booth at the Assistive Technology Expo this year in Wichita. I am “manning” the booth to share with the participants my newly offered service, orientation and mobility.  I have spoken to approximately 30 participants this far and explained some of the services RCIL has to offer. Remember, assistive technology does  not…

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Additional KanCare Educational Meetings Scheduled for Late September

By Mandy Smith | September 13, 2012

  The State of Kansas will be holding KanCare educational meetings in eight cities across Kansas September 24-26 to meet with Medicaid members and providers. Through the presentations and the question-and-answer sessions, details will be provided about the transition from old Medicaid to KanCare. This is the second round of educational tours hosted jointly by…

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RCIL Remembers 9/11

By Mandy Smith | September 11, 2012

Eleven years ago today our lives were forever changed.  Please read below as RCIL staff share their thoughts and stories of 9/11. Vicki Gillespie – “I was with my RCIL family!” Kathy Holloway – “We had a staffing meeting in Osage City that day!  I remember standing outside in the parking lot looking at all…

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From start to finish! Pictures of Mandy achieving her COMS

By Mandy Smith | September 6, 2012

I thought what better way to celebrate achieving my orientation and mobility certification than to look at pictures over the last two years.   (Click on each picture for a more detailed description.)  A lot has changed in the last two years and I’m thankful for it all.  I’d like to thank all of my iKan…

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Jones resigns from SILCK

By Mandy Smith | August 30, 2012

The board of directors of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) has accepted the resignation of its executive director, Shannon Jones, effective Aug. 31. Jones has served as the organization’s director for the past 18 years. “Shannon has been a strong voice for Kansans of all ages,” said Lou Ann Kibbee, board president.…

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Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)

By Mandy Smith | August 20, 2012

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) invites you to attend one of the following informational sessions for people receiving services, family members/friends, providers, advocacy groups and others interested in the disability, aging, mental health and substance use disorder services we administer.  The purposes of these sessions are to provide updates and information…

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Important 2012 Election Advance Voting Dates

By Mandy Smith | August 13, 2012

DATE DESCRIPTION Tuesday, October 16 Last day to register to vote in general election Wednesday, October 17 Advance voting begins for general election Friday, November 2 Deadline for voters to apply for advance voting ballots to be mailed Monday, November 5 Noon deadline to cast advance voting ballots in person in office of County Election…

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Protect more than yourself in this heat

By Mandy Smith | August 3, 2012

  Humans and pets are not the only things that shouldn’t be in excessive heat.  Neither should power chairs and scooters.  Power chairs and scooters have batteries and electronics that can lose their charge in excessive heat (or excessive cold for that matter).  When a chair or scooter loses power like this, people tend to…

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Eating healthy and on a budget

By Mandy Smith | August 1, 2012

  Is it possible to eat healthy and still stay on your budget?  I’ve always heard “But eating healthy always costs so much more.”  I guess it depends on what your definition of eating healthy is but really it doesn’t have to cost any more than eating “regularly or non-healthy”.  Eating healthy really has to…

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Learn more about KanCare

By Mandy Smith | July 24, 2012

In January 2013, Medicaid and HealthWave will change their names to KanCare.  KanCare will also provide new benefits, such as basic dental care.  To learn about KanCare please attend one of the meetings in your area.  If you have questions, call (866) 305-5147.  If you require special assistance for a meeting please call Rita at…

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New Website Offers Information and Support for Adults with Vision Loss

By Mandy Smith | July 23, 2012

From AFB eNews Are you or a family member having difficulty seeing? Or perhaps been diagnosed with an eye condition such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy? If the answer is yes, you’re not alone: vision problems affect 25 million Americans, and that number is on the rise. To support this growing community,…

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